October 19, 2013 6:54pm EDTOctober 19, 2013 6:54pm EDTClayton Kershaw is a sure thing as the Dodgers' top pitcher. The team reportedly believed so strongly in him it offered a $300 million contract to bind the lefthander to the franchise the rest of his career.

Staff report

Published on Oct. 19, 2013

Oct. 19, 2013

Clayton Kershaw is a sure thing as the Los Angeles Dodgers' top pitcher. The team reportedly believed so strongly in him it offered a $300 million contract to bind the lefthander to the franchise the rest of his career.

Talks never were consummated, in part because Kershaw wasn't sure he wanted to make the long-term commitment, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.

Another possible reason: The Los Angeles Times reported Kershaw was miffed when the Dodgers made public information on the discussions.

If the contract numbers are correct Kershaw was on track to become the highest-paid pitcher in baseball, well above the $180 million deal Justin Verlander signed with the Detroit Tigers. Verlander's deal runs through 2019.

Verlander was scheduled to pitch Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, unless the Boston Red Sox closed out the series Saturday.

Kershaw was shelled in Game 6 of the NLCS, won by the St. Louis Cardinals.